Pittsburgh to Tampa road trip: Best stops, time & distance

The best road trip stops on the Pittsburgh to Tampa drive are New River Gorge, Charlotte and Savannah. The distance from Pittsburgh to Tampa by car is 1,026 miles, with an 15h59m driving time.

Planning a Pittsburgh to Tampa road trip itinerary

The Pittsburgh to Tampa drive takes you from western Pennsylvania to Florida’s west coast.

Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania is a monstrously underrated city, with a series of stellar attractions. Get great views from the top of the Duquesne Incline, enjoy the globally-themed rooms at the unmissable Cathedral of Learning and become immersed in pop art at the Warhol Museum.

You can explore Pittsburgh with a hop-on, hop-off bus pass. Pittsburgh experiences include bike tours full of stories, guided whiskey-themed walks and craft beer sampling on a multi-brewery tour.

For Pittsburgh hotels with great reviews, try the Italian villa-style Priory Hotel or the often good value Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown.

Tampa is justifiably one of the most popular holiday destinations in Florida. It’s home to top attractions such as the Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa, the Adventure Island water park and Busch Gardens theme park.

Other great Tampa experiences include historic Ybor City food walking tours, seeing the highlights in a street legal golf cart and a Haunted Tampa tour that combines ghosts and pubs.

Also on offer are Segway tours, history cruises, dolphin-watching and celebrity homes tours.

Tampa accommodation is best booked in advance – look for deals here.

Pittsburgh to Tampa distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Pittsburgh to Tampa is 1,026 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 15 hours and 59 minutes. The quickest route is via the I-90, I-79, US-19, I-77, I-95 and I-75.

The best stops to add to a Pittsburgh to Tampa road trip itinerary are New River Gorge, Charlotte and Savannah.

Pittsburgh to Tampa road trip attractions: New River Gorge, West Virginia

Near Beckley WV, the New River has carved the longest and deepest river gorge in the Appalachians. In the surrounding forests of New River Gorge National Park, several hiking trails lead to dramatic gorge views. Meanwhile rock climbers get some serious practice in on the steep walls.

The upper stretch of the river is beloved by white water canoeists, while the Lower Gorge has often ferocious rapids.

It is, therefore, one of the best places in the country to do a whitewater rafting tour. Nearby, you can also try ATV adventures and ziplining.

Pittsburgh to Tampa drive: Charlotte NC

Charlotte is the biggest city in North Carolina. Major attractions include the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the thrill-packed Carowinds amusement park and the Billy Graham Library. Another popular option is the Sea Life aquarium.

For top Charlotte activities, try historical city tours by golf cart, Segway tours through the Uptown neighbourhood and after dark ghost tours.

Well-reviewed and central Charlotte accommodation options include the AC by Marriott and the Hyatt House.

Best stops between Pittsburgh and Tampa: Savannah GA

Savannah has a timewarp handsomeness about it. Parks are lined by mossy oak trees, 19^th century buildings ooze history and riverboats glide along the rivers.

Great activities in Savannah include the Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour, riverboat cruises and a true crime pub crawl.